HISTORIC! Saudi Arabia to Join Miss Universe for the First Time

• Image Credit: Google

• Mar 26, 2024 | Guriya Khatun

The 27-year-old model Rumy Alqahtani announced on Instagram on Monday that she will represent her nation as the first contestant in the global beauty pageant.

Digital Desk: Saudi Arabia officially joined the Miss Universe pageant with Rumy Alqahtani as the Islamic country's first-ever representative.

Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia has been shedding its conservative mantle, and this is another move in that direction.

The 27-year-old model Rumy Alqahtani announced on Instagram on Monday that she will represent her nation as the first contestant in the global beauty pageant.

"This is the first participation of Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe competition," Rumy wrote on Instagram.

According to The Khaleej Times and ABC News, Saudi Arabia will be competing in the Miss Universe beauty competition for the first time.

MODEL RUMY ALQAHTANI: WHO IS SHE?

Alqahtani, who is from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, is well-known for competing in international beauty pageants. A few weeks ago, she took part in the Miss and Mrs Global Asian competition, which was held in Malaysia.

As Rumy Alqahtani stated, "My contributions are to learn about world cultures and to transfer our authentic Saudi culture and heritage to the world," Arab News reported.

She won the titles of Miss Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Miss Arab World Peace 2021, and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia) in addition to being awarded Miss Saudi Arabia.

The Riyadh-born model and content producer, who has a million Instagram followers and roughly 2,000 followers on X (the former Twitter platform), posted on Instagram expressing her delight about representing Saudi Arabia in the forthcoming Miss Universe 2024 pageant.

“I am honoured to participate in the Miss Asia International 2024 competition held in Malaysia,” Al-Qahtani said in a post.

Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Nicaragua, won the title of Miss Universe 2023 last year.

CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN'S REFORMS

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 38, a devoted "Call of Duty" gamer, is leading Saudi Arabia, a country long recognized for its conservatism, through a period of change.

The Crown Prince frequently appears with a full facial beard, a Arab traditional robe, and sandals. Saudi Arabia, the biggest nation on the Arabian Peninsula, has always upheld stringent social and religious regulations.

But these stringent regulations have loosened in recent months.

This change has drawn attention from all around the world, especially as women are now free to drive, go to activities with other genders, and apply for passports without the need for male guardianship. 

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia, which is well-known for its severe alcohol prohibitions, has consented to let diplomats who are not Muslims buy alcohol.